Natural Health Article

 

Cleanse Your Way to a New You
By Amy Phillips-Gary

Have you ever felt like you simply needed a fresh start?

It might be that you sense your usual way of living is limiting or holding you back in some way.

I'm talking about everything from what you eat, how much you move your body, how you think and even how often you tap into your spirituality.

In these busy times, it's too easy to get wrapped up in our everyday lives and to fall into habits that just don't serve us.

Unfortunately, when we realize that we've developed habitual patterns that we don't like, many of us become self-critical and judgmental.

We end up feeling worse about where we are and usually get even more stuck in the offending way of life through this self-deprecation.

In times like this, a cleanse might be beneficial.

Dietary Cleanse
A cleanse can take many forms, durations and degrees. The most common cleanse is probably dietary.  Some people choose to fast or to eat in a particular way for a particular amount of time.

The idea behind a cleanse of this type is that the change in diet will give your digestive system a rest or a break from your usual way of eating. Many use a cleanse as a way to literally clean out the system and make a fresh start.

After a dietary cleanse, the person might choose to continue aspects of the cleanse diet or may decide to gradually return to his or her customary ways of eating.

The reasons why people cleanse are varied. Some primarily want to lose weight.

Others might be most focused on being healthier. Still others cleanse with a spiritual or social intention as their motivation.

I've tried various dietary cleanses over the years. Here are just a few:

Fasts or Juice Fasts: Several cleanses involve some form of fasting, choosing not to eat food for a period of time.  The fast, according to proponents, helps the digestive system rest and the colon, kidneys and liver can be more easily cleared of toxins.

Juices, herbs and supplements as well as plenty of water are usually consumed during these types of cleanses in order to keep the body hydrated and energized.

Some who have tried these type of cleanses even feel more energized than usual during and after a fast!

Fasting should be done with care and research. If you are interested in a fasting cleanse, compare various products and methods. Read about what others have experienced when cleansing in this way and decide if it is a fit for your
life and body.

Food Cleanses: Making a sometimes radical change in what and how you eat can also be a cleanse.

You might set aside a particular time frame-- say 2 or 3 weeks-- and use that cleanse as an experiment to see how you feel eating in this different way.

This type of cleanse does not necessarily involve a particular program or recipes but it can.

Sometimes the person will focus in on the gall bladder, for example and eat and drink foods that are known to support the de-toxifying and optimal functioning of this vital organ.

Other food cleanses turn attention to restoring balance in a person's system, for example, by encouraging a less acidic and more alkalizing environment in the body.

Herbs, vitamins and supplements are also available to assist with these types of cleanses.

There are literally hundreds of ways to do a food cleanse. You might decide to cut out all refined sugars for a period of time. Or you could choose to switch to a vegetarian diet as your cleanse.

Again, do your research and set up a plan and time frame for yourself.  A natural health care provider might also have suggestions.

Be sure that you are continuing to keep yourself hydrated and that you will be getting the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.

No matter which type of dietary cleanse you try, it might help you to be aware of the possible de-toxing effects you could experience. These are different for everyone.

You might have headaches or feel grouchy as your body becomes accustomed to functioning without sugar or caffeine, for instance.

When you know that the possible discomfort is because your body is clearing out unneeded and unhealthy toxins, it can help you to stick with the cleanse goal you've set for yourself.

Mind Cleanse
It is not as common for people to consider going on a "mind cleanse."

It is more common for many of us to focus almost wholly on what we're eating and the activities we are undertaking and to leave our thoughts, emotions and
even spirituality less noticed.

Spiritual teacher Reverend Michael Beckwith inspired me to try such a cleanse. His book, 40 Day Mind Fast, Soul Feast was a wonderful guide and framework for me.

In his book, Reverend Beckwith suggests specific ways to take a break from habitual thoughts and beliefs and, instead, to turn toward spirituality. He offers specific words and ways to cleanse the mind and open up to clearer and more uplifted ways of being.

You might set up a mind cleanse for yourself.

For example, you could choose an array of books, tapes and dvds that inspire you and, perhaps, challenge your usual ways of thinking.

Choose a period of time during which you will devote your energy during free time to those resources instead of reading the newspaper or watching your favorite tv shows.

Infuse your cleanse with positive intentions
No matter what type of cleanse you decide upon, I encourage you to pay attention to your intentions and motivations.

If you are fearful about your body, feel fat and ugly or are judging yourself as lacking or marred in some way, I urge you to pause.

Don't proceed with a cleanse and expect the elimination or addition of particular foods from or to your diet to "solve" how you feel!

Yes, you might find that you've shed pounds and your organs function more smoothly at the end of the cleanse.

But you can enhance your experience and even feel longer-lasting benefits when, instead, you are motivated by a curiosity for what helps you feel better and an intention to improve yourself.

This might be a matter of shifting your focus from what you see your body and mind are like now to envisioning what you want. It can be a matter of attitude.

Rather than, "I am not allowing myself to eat refined sugar because it is bad for me and I am overweight," try "I am choosing not to eat refined sugar, for example,
because I am curious about how I might feel as a result."

If you follow Reverend Beckwith's suggestion for a mind fast, it is still important to be clear and positive about what you want for your experience.

Pay most attention to this new way of being that you are experimenting with and
the possible benefits as you respond to yourself and your life in this possibly different way.

A cleanse may just be the change of pace and break from the usual that your body, mind and soul are craving.

Decide what kind of experience you want and create a plan for yourself.

Stick with it and celebrate your movement toward a clearer, healthier you.

More information on cleansing:
Juice Fasting
General information on juice fasting
The Master Cleanse
Blessed Herbs Cleanse

Dietary Cleansing
General information on dietary cleanses
Acid-Alkaline foods and cleanse information

More information on the work of Reverend Michael Beckwith
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Amy Phillips-Gary is a freelance writer, homeschool mom and personal growth adventurer.









 

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